Former Detroit Pistons Bad Boy John Salley confirmed Wednesday he will attend the June 5 opening of the new Whole Foods store in Detroit. This vegan gave in a radio interview his ideal candidate for the Pistons head coaching job. Associated Press

DETROIT, MI - Former Detroit Pistons Bad Boy John Salley is a big supporter of the vegan lifestyle and still follows the activities of his former team closely.

Salley discussed both topics during an appearance on WJR's "Mitch Albom Show" and spoke with the passion and humor that made him one of the city's most popular sports personalities.

He even gave his top candidate to fill the Pistons head coaching vacancy, and repeated the candidate's name three times before he then gave a bold prediction.

He wishes more former pro athlete would follow a stricter dietary regimen.

“This is nothing against my (former Pistons) teammate; I love him to death,” Salley said. “But Rick Mahorn has gained close to 150 pounds since 1989 when we won the championship.

"I am the same weight I was back in 1989 - strictly diet; I don’t run; I work out 10 minutes a day, maybe 15 minutes a day.”

When Salley chimed in on who he thinks would be the perfect candidate to be the Pistons next coach he mentioned that Pistons owner Tom Gores and team president and general manager Joe Dumars would get a guy who could make the team playoff-bound right away.

"“I’m going to say one thing: Brian Shaw should be the next coach of the Detroit Pistons; Brian Shaw should be the next coach of the Detroit Pistons; Brian Shaw should be the next coach of the Detroit Pistons,” Salley said. “If they do (hire Shaw) guaranteed 50 wins.”

Shaw, a former player, is currently the associate head coach for the Indiana Pacers. He's a former Los Angeles Lakers assistant under Phil Jackson and was considered for the organization's head coaching job once Jackson retired in 2011.

Salley told Albom he hasn't told Dumars that the Pistons should hire Shaw, but implied that he hopes Dumars get the message.

"“Hey man, I’m in the health and wellness,” Salley said laughing. “You know, I don’t say anything directly to anybody. I learned to say it and if they catch it they catch it.”

What do you think about Salley being a vegan and his endorsement of Shaw as Pistons coach? Let MLive Detroit now in our comments section.